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October 2011
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DISTRIBUTION REVIEW
Version Author No. Copies &
Recipients Date Reviewer Date
Format
A L. Twomey K. Hillman (Oceanica) 1 x electronic 07/6/11 K. Hillman 09/6/11
P. Mackey (APA)
T. Green 12/6/11
J. Lawson
B L. Twomey 1 x electronic 14/6/11 J. Lawson 18/7/11
(Grange Res.)
P. Mackey 19/7/11
T. Green (BMT JFA)
C. Gunby (DoW)
M. Burgess (DoF) C. Gunby 11/8/11
J. Koutsoukos (DoH) 1 x electronic F. Rowland 29/8/11
L. Twomey G. Mair (DEC) 1 x hardcopy J.Koutsoukos 22/8/11
Rev0 28/6/11
K. Crawley M. Mulligan G. Mair TBA
(Peer Rev.) M. Mulligan 28/8/11
Oceanica 2 x hardcopy
K. Hillman 04/10/11 K. Hillman 05/10/11
K. Crawley T. Green 27/09/11 T. Green 30/09/11
Rev1 1 x docm
L. Twomey S. Fretton 27/09/11 S. Fretton 05/10/11
J. Lawson 27/09/11 J. Lawson 30/09/11
A. Oud (OEPA) 2 x hardcopy
K. Crawley 1 x pdf
Rev2 07/10/11
L. Twomey
Oceanica 2 x hardcopy
Status
This report is “Draft” until the author and director have signed it off for final release. A “Draft” report should not be
used for any purpose other than to be reviewed with the intention of generating a “Final” version.
Authors Director
Disclaimer
This report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of Albany Port Authority, and is subject to and
issued in accordance with the agreed terms and scope between Albany Port Authority and Oceanica Consulting Pty
Ltd. Oceanica Consulting Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for it in respect of any use of or
reliance upon this report by any third party.
Copying this report without the permission of Albany Port Authority or Oceanica Consulting Pty Ltd is not permitted.
Cover
Main image: Albany Port with Albany Waterfront Development in foreground (Oceanica Consulting);
Minor images: Great White Fleet Centenary Commemoration (Albany Port Authority); Grain silos at Albany Port
(Oceanica Consulting).
The Oceanica logo is a registered trade mark of Oceanica Consulting Pty Ltd which is protected by law. You may not
use this trade mark without first obtaining the permission of Oceanica Consulting Pty Ltd.
Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan i
4.2 Fishing and aquaculture ...................................................................................................... 31
4.2.1 Physico-chemical stressors ........................................................................................31
4.2.2 Toxicants and bacteria in seafood .............................................................................31
4.2.3 Turbidity ......................................................................................................................32
4.3 Recreation and Aesthetics .................................................................................................. 32
4.3.1 Recreational water quality ..........................................................................................32
4.3.2 Visual amenity ............................................................................................................32
5. Management Programs.................................................................................................... 33
5.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................... 33
5.2 General Marine Works Management Program .................................................................. 33
5.3 Dredging and Plume Management Program ..................................................................... 36
5.4 Marine Infrastructure Management Program .................................................................... 39
6. Monitoring and Contingency Plans ................................................................................41
6.1 Oil Spill Monitoring and Contingency Plan ....................................................................... 41
6.2 Introduced Marine Pests Monitoring and Contingency Plan ........................................... 42
6.3 Marine Fauna Monitoring and Contingency Plan ............................................................. 43
6.4 Water Quality Monitoring and Contingency Plan ............................................................. 45
6.5 Underwater Noise Monitoring and Contingency Plan ...................................................... 47
7. Auditing and Reporting ................................................................................................... 50
7.1 Auditing ................................................................................................................................. 50
7.1.1 Access for observers ..................................................................................................50
7.1.2 Independent audit.......................................................................................................50
7.1.3 Compliance Assessment Plan ...................................................................................50
7.2 Reporting .............................................................................................................................. 50
7.2.1 Reporting ....................................................................................................................50
7.2.2 Compliance Reporting ................................................................................................51
7.2.3 Key Management Actions Table ................................................................................51
8. Review and Revision ....................................................................................................... 55
8.1 Review ................................................................................................................................... 55
8.2 Revision ................................................................................................................................ 56
9. References........................................................................................................................57
ii Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
List of Tables
Table 1.1 Key elements of the Expansion Project, specified in Ministerial
Statement 846 ...................... 1
Table 1.2 Disposal Ground Co ordinates............................................................................. 10
Table 1.3 Perth’s Coastal Waters Environmental Values (EVs) and Environmental
Quality Objectives (EQOs) (EPA 2000) ............................................................... 11
Table 1.4 Four levels of protection and their corresponding limits of acceptable change
for EQO1; Maintenance of Ecosystem Integrity (EPA 2000) ................................ 11
Table 2.1 Summary of project management programs and the corresponding
monitoring and contingency plans .......................... 17
Table 2.2 Environmental Values and Environmental Quality Objectives, with reference
to relevant sections of this document describing applicable Project
Management Programs, Monitoring and Contingency Plans and
Environmental Quality Criteria. ............................................................................ 21
Table 2.3 Key roles and responsibilities .............................................................................. 23
Table 7.1 DLRMP reporting table ........................................................................................ 53
Table 7.2 DLRMP Key Management Actions Table............................................................. 54
List of Figures
Figure 1.1 Location map showing Albany Port Expansion Project proposal, land
reclamation at Semaphore Point, shipping channel, Albany Port Authority area,
Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound ................................................. 5
Figure 1.2 Layout of land reclamation area and berth pocket at Semaphore Point,
turning basin and approach channel ..................................................................... 6
Figure 1.3 Location of offshore disposal site between Bald Head and Breaksea Island.......... 7
Figure 1.4 Typical cross section of seawall ............................................................................ 9
Figure 1.5 Moderate Ecological Protection Areas (MEPAs; E3) in relation to the
Expansion Project: the waters outside of the MEPA are classified High
Ecological Protection Areas (HEPA; E2; EPA 2000) ........................................... 13
Figure 1.6 Temporary Moderate Ecological Protection Areas (MEPAs; E3), which will
be in place for the duration of dredging and disposal: the waters outside of
the MEPA are classified High Ecological Protection Areas (HEPA; E2; EPA
2000)......................................................................................................................14
Figure 6.1 Flowchart showing marine fauna monitoring and avoidance procedures
during dredging and disposal operations ............................................................ 44
Figure 6.2 Flowchart showing water quality monitoring procedures during dredging and
disposal operations ............................................................................................ 46
Figure 6.3 Flowchart showing start up and operation procedures for pile driving during
construction of the wharfs and associated infrastructure ..................................... 49
List of Appendices
Appendix A Ministerial Statement 846
Appendix B Commonwealth EPBC Referral
Appendix C Sea Dumping Permit
Appendix D Water Quality Monitoring Program
Appendix E Albany Port Authority Oil Spill Contingency Plan
Appendix F Albany Port Authority Port Emergency Response Plan
Appendix G Albany Port Authority Environmental Management Plan
Appendix H Summary of Government Agency DLRMP Review Comments and
Proponent Responses
Appendix I DLRMP Peer Review Comments and Proponent Responses
Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan i
1. Introduction
1.1 Issue
The Albany Port jurisdiction covers the waters and seabed of the majority of King George
Sound (KGS) and Princess Royal Harbour (PRH). The port has undergone some trade growth
in the past decade, and is due to expand further with the Albany Port Authority’s (APA’s)
Albany Port Expansion Project (the Expansion Project) to meet the shipping needs of
Southdown Joint Venture (SDJV), Southdown Magnetite Project. Due to the interconnected
nature of the Expansion Project and the Southdown Magnetite Project, the environmental
work needed is being undertaken in close collaboration between APA and SDJV. The
environmental work is directed by APA (the legal proponent) in consultation with SDJV, who
provides financial support.
The Expansion Project allows for the dredging of 12 million cubic metres (Mm 3) of sediments
to widen and deepen the existing shipping channel into PRH and to extend the shipping
channel into KGS to allow access for cape-size vessels (16 m draft) to Albany Port. Most of
the dredged material will be disposed offshore at a location in KGS (Figure 1.1). The
Expansion Project received environmental approval on 18 November 2010, (Ministerial
Statement 846; MS 846), with its key characteristics as shown in Table 1.1.
Table 1.1 Key elements of the Expansion Project, specified in Ministerial Statement 846
Key Aspect Description
Dredging
Cutter Suction Dredge (CSD) for the berth
pockets and reclamation batter. Trailer Suction
Dredge methods
Hopper Dredge (TSHD) for the shipping
channel. No blasting required.
Total quantity of dredge material to be
12 million cubic meters (Mm3)
generated
247.7 hectares (ha) including all channel
batters.
Total area to be dredged
47.3 ha of which is an existing channel and has
been dredged.
Total maximum duration 32 weeks.
Independent CSD Dredging (Stage 1 dredging)
Total quantity of dredge material to be
~300,000 m3 for reclamation area by CSD
generated
12 weeks independent of the TSHD (or Stage 2
Stage 1 duration
dredging) at any time of the year.
TSHD Dredging (Stage 2 dredging)
Total quantity of dredge material to be
11.7 Mm3 dredged by TSHD.
generated
Stage 2 duration 20 weeks.
Berth and Channel Characteristics
Maximum channel depth -19.2 m CD (Figure 1.1).
-17.8 meters (m) Chart Datum (CD)
Berth Pocket depth
(Figure 1.1).
Land Reclamation Area
Area Up to 9 ha (Figure 1.2).
Height +4 m CD (Figure 1.2).
Continuous rock armoured sea wall, lined with
Construction of sea wall
geotextile filter cloth.
Clearing Nil.
Length of rocky shoreline to be reclaimed ~360 m.
~900 m in total and ~570 m along the berth
Seawall length
edge.
Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan 1
Key Aspect Description
Reclamation area will be filled and graded to
achieve internal drainage until adequate
Surface drainage
stormwater system is constructed for the
intended use.
Rock armour material Granite rock
Offshore Disposal Area
In deep water within King George Sound
Disposal location
(Figure 1.3).
Disposal footprint 250 ha. Diameter is 1800 m (Figure 1.3).
Finished depth to the top of the disposal site is
Disposal depth
-35 m CD (Figure 1.3).
Disturbance Footprint
Total Albany Port Expansion Proposal
506.7 ha.
marine disturbance footprint
The DLRMP is based on Office of Environmental Protection Authority (OEPA) guidelines for the
preparation of environmental management plans (DoE 2006a), and is structured as follows:
A portion of the dredged material will be used for reclamation of up to 9 hectares of Princess
Royal Harbour to construct a new berth (Berth 7). Construction of the seawall will involve
the importation of core and armour material by road transport. Pile driving activities will be
required to construct the new berth. The location of the proposal is shown in Figure 1.1.
Further detail on the land reclamation area is provided Figure 1.2 and the offshore disposal
site is shown in Figure 1.3.
2 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
1.3.1 Dredging
Dredge Method
A Trailer Suction Hopper Dredge (TSHD) will be used for a minimum of approximately 90% of
the dredging in combination with a small to medium sized Cutter Suction Dredge (CSD). The
TSHD will go through cycles of four consecutive operations:
The dredging operation will continue 24 hours a day and 7 days a week as weather permits,
subject to compliance with the Dredging and Land Reclamation Plan (DLRMP) and all other
contingency plans.
The CSD will be used to cut a batter profile at the proposed berth 7 and the southern side of
the channel. It is intended that the material dredged by the CSD will be pumped directly into
the land reclamation area. The reporting details in relation to dredging and disposal activities
are contained in Section 7.2.
Dredging Exclusion Period
In accordance with Condition 5-1 of MS 846 (Appendix A) and Condition 2 of the EPBC Act
referral (Appendix B) no stage 2 (i.e. using TSHD) capital dredging of the shipping channel is
to occur between 1 November to 28 February in any year in order to protect seagrasses.
The reclamation area will be completely bunded prior to the commencement of dredging.
The land reclamation area will be protected on the seaward face by a continuous rock
armoured seawall (Figure 1.4). The initial rock bund will be constructed to a height of +2 m
CD. The armouring for berth 7 will be granite. The seawall will be formed by progressively
end tipping core material onto the seabed. The seaward face will be progressively protected
by placing two layers of armour extending to the seafloor. Prior to commencement of
reclamation, the landward face of the core material will be faced with small rock to fill the
voids and a geotextile filter cloth will be laid from the top of the core to the seafloor
(Figure 1.4). This will reduce swell penetration through the seawall and reduce the return of
dredged material back into the harbour.
The reclamation will be subdivided into a number of cell arrays via internal bunding. Dredged
sandy material may be pumped into the reclamation area initially to construct the internal
bunds. One cell array will be filled prior to overflowing to the next with the excess water
entering the successive settlement areas to maximise settlement and allowing the slurry to
settle over a period of time and to control the turbidity of return water via a sluice/weir box
arrangement (JFA Consultants Pty Ltd, 2005). The weir box will be located at the south
eastern corner of the reclamation area. Reclamation will occur progressively from the
western end towards the eastern end. Earthmoving equipment will be utilised on the
reclamation to control the spread of material and complete the filling to fill height.
Reclamation to full height may occur in two lifts or in one single lift, depending on the final
ground improvement methodology that may be required to provide a suitable construction
surface.
Towards the completion of filling the reclamation area the volume available for settlement of
fines in the return water will be reduced when compared to the start of reclamation. To allow
for this and to maintain sufficient retention time, dredged sand will be stockpiled above the
final design level of +4.0 m CD. Following completion of the dredging, the stockpiled
material will be used to backfill the remaining settlement area. A final graded fall of
Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan 3
approximately 1% will be trimmed back to the central area of the reclaim that will ensure any
interim surface water accumulations infiltrate in situ. This final trim and grade will ensure
that stormwater is ameliorated in the interim until the construction of an adequate
stormwater system is implemented by SDJV under the Works Approval for its’ portside
infrastructure.
4 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
Figure 1.1 Location map showing Albany Port Expansion Project proposal, land reclamation at Semaphore Point, shipping channel, Albany Port Authority area, Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound
Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan 5
Note: The insert represents a cross section of the reclamation area
Figure 1.2 Layout of land reclamation area and berth pocket at Semaphore Point, turning basin and approach channel
6 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
Figure 1.3 Location of offshore disposal site between Bald Head and Breaksea Island
Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan 7
Source: BMT JFA
Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan 9
1.3.3 Disposal site
The remainder of the material (11.7 Mm3) requires offshore disposal at the entrance to King
George Sound in South Channel, between Bald Head on Flinders Peninsula and Breaksea
Island (Figure 1.6). Dredged material at the disposal site will be disposed such that the
finished depths are approximately -35 m CD. Disposal at this depth is considered stable and
minimises the likelihood for resuspension.
A bathymetric survey of the disposal site must be undertaken by APA to meet the
requirements of Condition 19 of the Sea Dumping Permit (SDP) obtained for this exercise:
Each load of dredged material will be dumped so that overall the dredge material is
distributed evenly over the area, in accordance with Condition 9 of the SDP. The average
thickness of disposed material will be between 3.5 m and 6.5 m above the existing seabed,
with a maximum total footprint of 250 ha.
In accordance with Conditions 10 and 11 of the SDP, immediately prior to disposal activities,
it will be established by GPS that the vessel is within the disposal site defined by the co-
ordinates contained in Table 1.2.
Table 1.2 Disposal Ground Co ordinates
Disposal ground centre co-ordinates (radius 900 m) Co-ordinates based on GDA94 datum
Latitude (South) Longitude (East)
35° 04’ 55”S 118° 01’ 40”E
1
Dumping activities as defined by the SDP include:
The excavation or dredging of the material;
The loading and carriage of dredged material for the purpose of dumping;
The dumping of the material at the prescribed disposal site.
10 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
1.5 Environmental Values and Objectives
Environmental Values (EVs) and Environmental Quality Objectives (EQOs) applicable to the
Expansion Project have been determined using the framework specified for Perth’s Coastal
Waters (EPA, 2000), in accordance with Condition 5A-2 of MS 846. The EVs and EQOs for
Perth’s coastal waters are reproduced in Table 1.3.
Table 1.3 Perth’s Coastal Waters Environmental Values (EVs) and Environmental Quality
Objectives (EQOs) (EPA 2000)
Environmental
Environmental Quality Objectives (EQOs)
Value (EV)
EQO1: Maintenance of Ecosystem Integrity
Ecosystem integrity, considered in terms of structure and function, will be maintained
Ecosystem Health throughout Perth’s coastal waters. The level of protection of ecosystem integrity shall
be high (E2) throughout Perth’s coastal waters, except in areas designated E3
(moderate protection) and E4 (low protection).
EQO2: Maintenance of Aquatic life for human consumption
Fishing and
Seafood will be safe for human consumption when collected or grown in all of Perth’s
Aquaculture
coastal waters except areas designated S2.
EQO3: Maintenance of primary contact recreation values
Primary contact recreation (e.g. Swimming) is safe in all of Perth’s coastal waters
except areas designated S3.
EQO4: Maintenance of secondary contact recreation values
Recreation and Secondary contact recreation (e.g. Boating) is safe in all of Perth’s coastal waters
Aesthetics except areas designated S4.
EQO5: Maintenance of aesthetic values
The aesthetic values of Perth’s coastal waters will be protected except in those areas
designated S5.
1 EQO6: Maintenance of industrial water supply values
Industrial Water
Perth’s coastal waters will be of suitable quality for industrial water supply purposes
Supply
except in areas designated S6.
Notes:
1. No industrial water supply uses are known to occur within the immediate vicinity of the Expansion Project
activities. Management of water quality for EQO1 will also address EQO6.
Ecological EQO
The EQO for the EV of ‘Ecosystem Health’ is aimed at maintaining ecosystem integrity and
biodiversity thereby ensuring the continued health and productivity of the coastal ecosystem.
Four levels of protection for EQO1 are outlined in EPA (2000), which are generally described
in terms of the limit of acceptable change from natural conditions (Table 1.4).
Table 1.4 Four levels of protection and their corresponding limits of acceptable change for
EQO1; Maintenance of Ecosystem Integrity (EPA 2000)
EQO 1 Level of protection
Relative Protection Limit of acceptable change
(code)
Level 1 (E1) Total protection No detectable change from natural variation
Level 2 (E2) High protection Some small changes from natural variation
Level 3 (E3) Moderate protection Moderate changes from natural variation
Level 4 (E4) Low protection Large changes from natural variation
With respect to spatial definition of areas with different levels of ecological protection for the
Expansion Project, High Ecological Protection Areas (HEPAs, E2) and Moderate Ecological
Protection Areas (MEPAs; E3) will apply. King George Sound and outer Princess Royal
Harbour have been influenced by historical and present anthropogenic uses of the terrestrial
and marine environment. The environmental quality of this marine environment is
categorised as ‘slightly to moderately disturbed’, due to the presence of the Port and other
industrial land uses along the northern shore of Princess Royal Harbour, the aquaculture
leases in King George Sound, recreational and commercial vessel passage through both
Harbours and the impacts of runoff from the surrounding catchments. The slightly to
moderately disturbed ecosystems of the outer portion of Princess Royal Harbour and King
George Sound are assigned HEPAs (Figure 1.5).
Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan 11
The inner harbour area of Albany Port has been categorised as a ‘highly disturbed’ ecosystem
due to current and historic activities in the area and consequently is assigned MEPA
(Figure 1.5). This area includes waters surrounding the existing port infrastructure, the new
berth pocket and swing basin; however, excludes the channel.
A temporary construction MEPA will also be established during the dredging and disposal
activities (Figure 1.6). The temporary MEPA will extend 250 m around the shipping channel
and the disposal area. Upon completion of the dredging campaign, the temporary MEPA will
revert to a HEPA classification.
Social EQOs
The social EQOs relate to the social EVs (fishing and aquaculture, recreation and aesthetics,
and industrial water supply, Table 1.3) and aim to protect the associated human uses by
ensuring that it is safe to swim and eat seafood grown or collected from these waters, the
waters are suitable for extraction for industrial purposes (e.g. cooling water), and that the
marine environment in general is aesthetically pleasing. Different levels of protection do not
apply to social EQOs: an area is either considered suitable for these human uses, or not.
12 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
Figure 1.5 Moderate Ecological Protection Areas (MEPAs; E3) in relation to the Expansion
Project: the waters outside of the MEPA are classified High Ecological Protection
Areas (HEPA; E2; EPA 2000)
Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan 13
Figure 1.6 Temporary Moderate Ecological Protection Areas (MEPAs; E3), which will be in
place for the duration of dredging and disposal: the waters outside of the MEPA are
classified High Ecological Protection Areas (HEPA; E2; EPA 2000)
14 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
1.6 Albany Ports’ Environmental Management Framework
1.6.1 Environmental Policy
Albany Port Authority has developed an Environmental Policy which states the Port’s
intentions and commitment to environmental performance in alignment with international
standards. The policy is appropriate to the nature, scale and environmental impacts of the
APA and will provide the foundation for setting and reviewing APA’s environmental objectives
and targets. An Environmental Management System (EMS; refer Section 1.6.2) ensures that
the Environmental policy is documented, implemented, maintained and communicated to all
persons working for or on behalf of the APA and the public.
The Environmental Policy states that APA is committed to continuously improving all aspects
of their operations and overall environmental performance to:
Avoiding the pollution of waterways by strict compliance with government regulations and
undertaking Port operations in a way that maintains water quality;
Minimising potential environmental impacts related to dust, noise, waste, land and water
pollution or contamination, exotic species and loss of native habitat;
Monitoring operations to provide the benchmark for setting environmental objectives and
measurable targets, evaluate compliance with legal and other requirements and measure
progress against environmental objectives;
Continual improvement in environmental performance through periodic management
reviews and internal audits to detect necessary preventative or corrective actions;
Consistent communication within the organisation, including informing personnel of the
environmental requirements associated with their roles, and informing relevant personnel
of changes to Port activities, services, legal and other requirements which will affect the
Port operations;
Communicating environmental performance openly with employees, regulators and
external stakeholders; and
Educating all APA personnel and contractors of their environmental obligations through
inductions and training programs and refreshers.
The EMS is based on the requirements of the ISO 14001:2004 - Environmental Management
Systems – Requirements with guidance for use. The scope of APA’s EMS applies to all port
operations and activities and those of its contractors, but excludes the activities of lease
holders and their contractors.
Records and Document Control
APA documentation and environmental records that will be maintained include:
The Environment Manager is responsible for maintaining and updating EMS documents on a
day to day basis. The CEO is responsible for authorising changes to documents from reviews,
and Line Managers and/or senior officers are responsible for providing work instructions or
other documents relating to their area of responsibility.
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Management responsibilities
The management structure of APA is provided in the EMS. The CEO controls Job Descriptions
for all Port employees. The Environment Manager is responsible for the identification and
communication of roles and responsibilities to APA personnel and contractors, and also for
setting out resources required for implementation of the EMS, to be approved by the Chief
Executive Officer.
Competence, training and awareness
The Environment Manager will ensure that personnel and contractors whose roles may
contribute to significant environmental impacts are identified, informed and trained about
EMS requirements. Line Managers or delegates will ensure that employees and contractors
are aware of work procedures relating to environmental impacts.
Communication
The Environment Manager is responsible for internal communications of EMS-related
information to relevant personnel and contractors. The CEO and Executive Officer are
responsible for communications to and from external bodies.
16 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
2. Implementation Strategy
2.1 Project management programs
This DLRMP presents three project management programs for marine construction activities
associated with the Expansion Project, as follows:
Application – the project activities and project areas to which the management program
applies;
Performance objectives – the performance goals;
Key performance indicators – measures of performance to demonstrate the objective is
being achieved;
Management measures – management and mitigation measures required to achieve the
performance objective related to each activity; and,
Reference to monitoring and contingency plans and environmental quality indicators and
associated triggers applicable to the management program.
The project management programs are described in full in Section 5. The relationships
between the project management programs and various monitoring and contingency plans
are further described below.
The monitoring and contingency plans relevant to each of the three project management
programs are summarised in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1 Summary of project management programs and the corresponding monitoring and
contingency plans
DLRMP
Project management program Monitoring and contingency plan
Section
1. Oil spill monitoring and contingency plan.
2. Introduced marine pests monitoring and Section 6.1
General marine works management
contingency plan. Section 6.2
program
3. Marine fauna monitoring and contingency Section 6.3
plan.
Dredging and plume management 4. Water quality monitoring and contingency
Section 6.4
program plan.
Marine infrastructure management 5. Underwater noise monitoring and contingency
Section 6.5
program plan.
A key component of the DLRMP is the water quality monitoring program (WQMP; Appendix D)
developed as a stand-alone document specifically to satisfy Condition 5A, and which also
encompasses Conditions 5, 7, 8, and 10 of MS 846. Some of the monitoring and contingency
plans listed in Table 2.1 have monitoring and contingencies that are components of the
WQMP: in these instances the DLRMP provides only a summary and citation to the
corresponding section of the WQMP. Where the monitoring and contingency plans include
Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan 17
monitoring and contingencies that are not covered in the WQMP, the DLRMP provides a
description of these.
2.2.1 Monitoring
Monitoring procedures have been prepared for each Monitoring and Contingency Plan,
including an outline of monitoring sites, methods, frequency and statistical analyses (where
applicable). Monitoring procedures also include provisions in the event that monitoring
cannot be undertaken (e.g. due to inclement weather, equipment failure, etc.) and will
incorporate sufficient flexibility in terms of scheduling and implementation so as to minimise
disruption to the project. Detailed monitoring methods and definition of technical analyses
will be incorporated into the Monitoring and Contingency Plans prior to the commencement of
construction works, as required.
In the event that monitoring procedures cannot be followed, the following management
approach will apply:
Assess the impact of the monitoring failure on the ability to evaluate environmental
performance and then determine whether to continue, modify or suspend activities;
Where the failure of monitoring would affect the ability to evaluate compliance with an
environmental limit, the relevant contingency plan will be implemented (see Section 6);
and
Monitoring in accordance with the DLRMP will be reinstated as soon as practicable.
EQC are numerical values (e.g. cadmium < 0.7 μg/L) or narrative statements (e.g. no deaths
of marine fauna that can be linked to anthropogenic-sourced changes in pH) that serve as
benchmarks to determine whether (i) a more detailed assessment of environmental quality is
required, or (ii) a management response is required (EPA 2005). There are two types of EQC
that reflect different levels of environmental risk, as follows:
To facilitate assessment whether the EQOs for PRH and KGS are being achieved during the
Expansion Project, EQC have either been adopted or project-specifically developed in
accordance with the Environmental Quality Criteria Reference Document for Cockburn Sound
(EPA 2005), as defined within relevant Monitoring and Contingency Plans (see Section 2.2
and Table 2.1).
18 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
2.2.3 Contingencies
Contingency procedures have been incorporated within each monitoring and contingency
plan, which describe the process to be followed in the event that:
The contingency plans are intended, as far as foreseeable, to accommodate likely scenarios
requiring management responses.
Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan 19
Table 2.2 Environmental Values and Environmental Quality Objectives, with reference to relevant sections of this document describing applicable Project Management Programs, Monitoring and Contingency Plans and
Environmental Quality Criteria.
Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan 21
2.4 Roles and Responsibilities for Implementation
APA is the proponent of the Expansion Project and consequently is responsible for the
construction and operation of the port and marine facilities. APA is ultimately responsible for
the implementation of the management actions and commitments made within this DLRMP;
however, all personnel involved in construction of the Expansion Project are responsible for
environmental management, as outlined in Table 2.3 below.
Table 2.3 Key roles and responsibilities
Name and
Role contact Responsibilities
details
Overall responsibility for the project and
APA Project Director t.b.a
implementation of this DLRMP.
Undertakes the dredging and reclamation activities in
compliance with this DLRMP.
APA Project Manager t.b.a
Communicates environmental requirements to the
dredging contractor.
Implements the day-to-day environmental management
of the works including regular audits of the
environmental performance of dredging and disposal
activities.
Provides environmental advice regarding dredging and
reclamation activities.
Responds to calls from community and records issues
APA site Environmental
t.b.a time, date and issues raised.
Officer
Coordinates environmental monitoring and reporting.
Investigates and reports on any environmental
incidents.
Implements the environmental monitoring programs.
Implements any vessel pest inspections.
Provide advice regarding environmental issues as
required.
Undertakes the dredging and reclamation activities in
compliance with this DLRMP.
Implements management strategies as directed by APA
Project Manager.
Ensures all dredging contractor staff and crew receive
Dredging Contractor –
t.b.a adequate environmental training.
Project Manager
Provides advice regarding the environmental
management of dredging and reclamation activities.
Ensures that all equipment is maintained in appropriate
condition to minimise the risk of environmental
incidents.
Undertakes the construction activities in compliance
with this DLRMP.
Implements management strategies as directed by APA
Project Manager.
Marine Infrastructure Ensures all construction contractor staff and crew
Construction Contractor – t.b.a receive adequate environmental training.
Project Manager Provides advice regarding the environmental
management of construction activities.
Ensures that all equipment is maintained in appropriate
condition to minimise the risk of environmental
incidents.
Environmental Monitoring Undertakes the monitoring activities in compliance with
t.b.a
contractor this DLRMP.
Conduct all work in compliance with this DLRMP.
Exercise a ‘Duty of Care’ to the environment.
All persons involved in the
t.b.a Reporting all environmental incidents as soon as
Expansion Project
practically possible to the Site Environmental Officer
and/or Project Manager.
Note: t.b.a - to be announced
Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan 23
2.5 Training and awareness
All personnel involved in the Expansion Project are required to undertake APA’s Safety,
Security and Environment Induction to ensure they are fully aware of all health, safety and
environmental requirements of the project and surrounding Port.
The Dredging Contractor and Marine Infrastructure Construction Contractor will also be
required to develop scope-specific project induction packages for delivery to all relevant
personnel. As part of the Contractors induction process all personnel engaged on the project,
including subcontractor personnel, will receive project information and training regarding
environmental awareness and the expectations and environmental requirements for the
project, including relevant details of this DLRMP and APA’s broader environmental
commitments and conditions incorporated in State and Commonwealth approvals.
Internal reporting of all incidents is mandatory throughout the Expansion Project. All
incidents will be recorded in an Environmental Incident Register maintained by the Site
Environmental Officer and reported to the OEPA and/or other authorities through the annual
compliance reporting required for the project under Condition 4 of MS 846. Major
environmental incidents include non-compliance with Ministerial Conditions and will be
reported to the relevant regulatory authority as prescribed by the management programs of
this DLRMP (see Section 5). All major incidents will be investigated to identify to root cause,
contributing factors, and key recommendations for consideration and implementation.
In accordance with Condition 15 of the Expansion Project’s Sea Dumping Permit (refer
Appendix C), if at any time during the course of the dumping activities, an environmental
incident occurs or environmental risk is identified, all measures must be taken immediately
by APA to mitigate the risk or the impact. The situation is to be reported within 24 hours to
the Federal 2Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities,
with details of the incident or risk, the measures taken, the success of those measures in
addressing the incident or risk and any additional measures proposed to be taken.
Contractors must submit their CEMPs to APA prior to commencement of work. APA will
review CEMPs to ensure compliance with this DLRMP. In the event of non-compliance,
contractors will be required to revise their CEMP to incorporate additional or expanded
environmental management measures.
2
Formerly the Department of Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), now the Department of
Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC).
24 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
3. Existing Environment
3.1 Marine Environment
The Albany Port is located at the junction of Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound.
A comprehensive description of the Marine Environment in the Albany area has been provided
in the Public Environment Review (PER) for the proposal (Ecologia 2007). Additional baseline
information on water and seagrass health for a twelve month between autumn 2009 and
autumn 2010 was developed for the project (Oceanica 2010). A brief summary of key
information from both of these sources has been provided here.
The Southern and Indian Oceans produce a highly energetic wave climate at the south-west
corner of the continent. However, the south-easterly to easterly feature of King George
Sound provides a significant level of protection to these waves.
The sediment within the existing shipping channel was described by SKM (2007) as consisting
of unconsolidated material of approximately 8-10 m depth into the seabed with a particle size
composition of medium to coarse silica sand and some fine silt. Dive observations (JFA
Consultants, 2005) described the material from the existing harbour and channel as a dark
grey, fine to medium grained sand with minimal organic material and the material offshore as
clean white sand.
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3.1.5 Benthic Habitats
Seagrasses
Seagrass meadows in PRH are dominated by three species: Posidonia sinuosa, P. australis
and Amphibolis: P. sinuosa occurs most extensively in the harbour, down to waters depths of
about 5 m, while P. australis occurs in shallower waters (1-2 m) (DoW 2008). These three
species also occur in KGS, with P. sinuosa present to water depths of approximately 10 m,
with patchy meadows of a fourth species, P. coriacea, present in deeper waters 14-16 m) in
the centre of KGS.
The footprint of the proposed channel is predominantly comprised of fine sand with no sessile
benthic flora or fauna, other than as follows:
Sea pens (Sarcoptilus grandis) that occur on the seabed along the northern batter of
Ataturk entrance between King Point and Vancouver Peninsula; and
Sparse clumps of the seagrass P. coriacea found at varying densities.
Results of the baseline monitoring survey indicated that there was little seasonal variation
(i.e. seagrass shoot density and amount of epiphytic growth on seagrass leaves) at
monitoring sites in KGS and PRH entrance.
Reefs
There are two major reef systems (Gio Batta Patch and Michaelmas Reef) adjacent to the
proposed channel in King George Sound. Both reefs are limestone reefs that support
macroalgal communities and a rich and diverse fauna consisting of encrusting sponges,
bryozoans, ascidians and soft corals (EPA 2010).
26 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
Baseline monitoring for mussel samples were obtained from the Mistaken Island aquaculture
suppliers in KGS (Oceanica 2010). Results showed that baseline concentrations of mercury in
mussel tissue were well below the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ 2006)
guidelines for shellfish.
The introduction of marine species into areas outside their native range is a serious risk to
Australia’s native marine life, and can also greatly impact on commercial fisheries and
aquaculture industries (ABS 2001). Non-deliberate introductions occur in two main ways
either through ballast or biofouling.
Since the AQIS introduction of mandatory ballast water regulations, where ballast water must
be exchanged outside territorial sea (12 nautical miles off the Australian coast, including
islands), risk of IMP from international ballast has been greatly reduced. Provided that the
AQIS strategy is correctly enforced, the risk rating of IMP from international ballast water
should be negligible to low. Domestic ships that discharge or exchange ballast water at any
Australian port have variable risk ratings depending on where the ballast water was last
acquired. For example, if the ballast water was collected at a port where IMP are known to
be present, the risk rating will be moderate to high, whereas ports without IMP are
considered negligible to low.
While the above is accurate, there is now a global understanding that the risk from ballast
water while still considerable may have been overstated relative to biofouling. Biofouling
species contribute approximately 80% of the introduced species we currently have in
Australia – therefore biofouling is the greatest risk. In the recent analysis of the risks of
marine species being introduced through 15 ports in Western Australia, McDonald (2008)
indicated that ports with a high proportion of working vessels (such as tugs, barges and
dredges) were at the greatest risk of IMP. These vessels pose a risk as they typically spend
long periods at anchor or moored between jobs, undertake slow moving work in one location
for long periods, use seafloor equipment, and work in population centres and coastal areas
where most IMP are located.
In 2009, the Commonwealth of Australia released a series of guidance documents setting out
a consensus view of effective biofouling management practices. The documents relevant to
this DLRMP include “National Biofouling Management Guidelines for Non-trading Vessels”;
and “National Biofouling Management Guidelines for Commercial Vessels.” (CA 2009a and CA
2009b). The purpose of the documents was to provide guidance and recommendations for
practical management options for the management of biofouling hazards associated with
vessels and equipment. All States and Territories of Australian, and New Zealand have
endorsed the ANZECC Code of Practice for Antifouling and In-water Hull Cleaning and
Maintenance. This Code of Practice guides antifouling and in-water hull cleaning and
maintenance activities for Australia and New Zealand.
Eradication of IMP is often only feasible if they are detected very early in their colonisation.
Currently the most effective form of control is prevention. Once established marine pests
have long lasting impacts and are usually impossible to eradicate.
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Introduced Marine Pests in Albany
A survey of the Albany marine area (King George Sound, Princess Royal Harbour and Oyster
Harbour) for IMS was conducted in 2007 by Department of Fisheries (McDonald et al 2009).
The purpose of this survey was to identify if there were any National Introduced Marine Pests
Coordination Group (NIMPCG) listed introduced species present in the Albany marine area.
The Albany marine area has the widest habitat diversity on the south coast, but the area is
still small enough to be sampled readily and there are a wide variety of potential sources of
IMS, including aquaculture, fishing, a yacht club, and the commercial trading port (Albany
Port).
Two species recorded from Albany were on the NIMPCG target list:
Sabella spallanzanii was previously known from the area, but the single specimen of C. fragile
ssp. fragile was a new record. Following the finding of C. fragile ssp. fragile in PRH, an
extensive survey specifically targeting this species was conducted in June 2008. No further
specimens were found during the survey. The Port of Albany later collected thirteen
additional individuals outside the initial survey area and their identity was confirmed as C.
fragile ssp. fragile. In addition, six IMS not on the NIMPCG target list were also recorded
during the study, bringing the total number of introduced species known from this region to
27 (McDonald et al 2009).
C. fragile ssp. fragile and Sabella spallanzanii have not been detected in the three high risk
ports of Western Australia (Port Hedland, Fremantle and Dampier) nor have they been
detected in other locations in Western Australia. Preventing spread of these species outside
of the Albany marine area must be a strong consideration for all activities occurring.
Historical evidence indicates that the shoreline and adjoining seabed have cultural heritage
significance and may contain land and maritime archaeological sites. In particular the area
was associated with the:
Construction and operation of the King Point Lighthouse (1858) (the existing lighthouse
keepers cottage sits several hundred metres to the east of the Project area).
Operations of the Albany Pilot Station (1852-C1960).
Princess Royal Harbour mine defences (C1890).
Submarine defence boom (1943-C1963).
Fish Landing Jetty.
Multiple shipwrecks with various levels of protection are registered on both, the State and
Federal Shipwreck Registers.
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amenity of residents and visitors in areas overlooking the proposed dredging and land
reclamation activities were identified in the PER to potentially be affected while dredging is in
progress as sediment plumes will be visible in Princess Royal Harbour (PRH) and King George
Sound (KGS).
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4. Potential Impacts
4.1 Ecosystem Health
4.1.1 Marine benthic communities
Potential impacts to marine benthic communities associated with dredging, offshore disposal
and increased vessel traffic into the Port identified during the PER (Ecologia 2007) were:
Sediment contamination
Sediments act as long term reservoirs of chemicals that may adversely affect the surrounding
aquatic environment and/or the organisms having direct contact with them. The disposal of
sediment may potentially release contaminants trapped in sediment, which may result in
mobilisation into the surrounding ecosystem. The proposal has the potential to impact on
sediment quality as follows:
Mobilisation and release of sediment bound contaminants into the water column; and
Oxidation of acid forming peaty material if placed on land.
30 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
Contamination of marine sediment and water through accidental discharges may also impact
on other environmental quality management framework values including:
As described in Section 3.1.7, IMP can also have significant impacts on the marine
environment, human health and the economy including, but not limited to:
Loss of biodiversity;
Destruction of marine habitats;
Outcompeting aquaculture species; and
Adverse effects on tourism, fishing, marine industry and coastal values.
The Project risk register (PER, Ecologia (2007); Table 8.1) identified that inadequate
quarantine practices may result in a moderate risk to biodiversity and aquaculture. The
primary vectors for the translocation of IMP to Albany Port are:
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4.2.3 Turbidity
Indirect impacts of turbidity to fisheries and aquaculture could potentially include affects on
phytoplankton productivity through a reduction in light availability. As phytoplankton form
the basis of the food chain for most aquaculture species including mussels, changes in
phytoplankton productivity near aquaculture leases could affect production. Further,
increases in sedimentation, turbidity and light attenuation may potentially reduce the
suitability of seagrass meadows and sub-tidal reefs as habitat for sheltering and foraging for
commercially and recreationally important species, affecting catches and fishery viability in
the short term.
32 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
5. Management Programs
5.1 Overview
The following section provides the management control measures that will be implemented
during the Expansion Project for each of the three project management programs:
Oil Spill response shall be in accordance with the Oil Spill Monitoring and Contingency Plan (see
Section 6.1).
2. Introduced Marine Pests
General Provisions: Introduced marine pest (3IMP) management shall be in accordance with:
Fish Resources Management Act 1994 and Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995.
Requirement that DoF must be notified within 24 hours of any known or suspected introduced
marine pest detected in West Australian State waters, which includes the Albany Port Expansion
Project.
National Biofouling Management Guidance for Non-trading Vessels (Commonwealth of Australia
2008).
Vessel arrival clearance procedure shall be in accordance with:
The above-listed General Provisions.
3
For the purposes of this document Introduced Marine Pests (IMP) are defined as those species listed on the
National Introduced Marine Pests Coordination Group’s (NIMPCG) target list of 55 potential pest species (see DAFF
2009).
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General Marine Works Management Program
inspection performed by an accredited biofouling inspector or suitably qualified marine expert; or
vessel does not enter West Australian State waters.
Once DoF is satisfied that the level of vessel or equipment hygiene represents a low risk and all
conditions have been met to DoF satisfaction, a vessel movement clearance will be issued by DoF,
with specific timeframes for movements, depending on the risk profile of the vessels departure
location.
Vessel inspections carried out on all high risk vessels will be no more than 7 days prior to
mobilisation to site by an accredited biofouling inspector or a suitably qualified marine pest expert to
ensure that: (1) any introduced marine pest on any vessels or associated equipment has been
removed or treated; and (2) there is no sediment on or within the vessel or associated equipment.
If a vessel is determined by risk assessment submitted to DoF to be high risk and has entered West
Australian State waters without meeting the above requirements, then the requirements detailed in
this section will need to be met, including vessel inspection within 48 hours of arrival in West
Australian State waters by an Officer of DoF, accredited biofouling inspector or a suitably qualified
marine pest expert and reported to DoF. DoF will then determine further actions required.
Where introduced marine pests are detected or suspected prior to mobilisation from outside of West
Australian State waters, the following will be carried out: cleaning of the affected vessel and
associated equipment to remove the introduced marine pests, followed by an inspection carried out
by an accredited biofouling inspector or a suitably qualified marine pest expert. All inspections must
be conducted no more than 7 days prior to the vessel departure. Risk assessment submission to
DoF is then required as described above. Any cleaning and treatment activities must be undertaken
to the extent that the vessel is deemed, by DoF, to represent a low risk to the West Australian
marine environment and the vessels movement clearance by DoF prior to mobilisation will only be
issued when these conditions have been met.
Where introduced marine pests are detected or suspected prior to mobilisation from inside West
Australian State waters, DoF must be notified within 24 hours of detection or suspicion of an
introduced marine pest and DoF will provide advice and direction on management options, as per
Introduced Marine Pest Monitoring and Contingency Plan described in Section 6.2.
Vessel inspections may occur on any vessel or marine equipment arriving within Albany Port / King
George Sound within 48 hours after arrival on site, upon vessel departure (see Vessel departure
clearance procedure below), or at any other time as deemed necessary by DoF, APA, OEPA or AQIS.
Vessel inspection report of IMP inspection and cleaning (where applicable) must be received from
the final port of call, before entry to Albany Port / King George Sound.
All vessels, greater than 25 metres in length arriving from overseas, or that have been in contact
with overseas vessels or sea installations, are required to meet AQIS conditions. These include
submission, prior to arrival, of a Quarantine pre-arrival report for vessels form (QPAR) to AQIS. The
QPAR must be submitted to AQIS at the First Port of Call no more than 96 and no less than 12 hours
prior to the vessel’s estimated time of arrival in Australia. Announcing the planned arrival of the
vessel or installation, signals the start of Quarantine Clearance. AQIS must be notified immediately
if the current status of the vessel (relating to questions on the QPAR) changes at any time.
34 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
General Marine Works Management Program
method approved by DoF that enables complete containment and disposal of all debris/residue
removed from the ship and require application to DoF.
Any hull cleaning requests must demonstrate freedom from introduced marine pests prior to
cleaning.
Should in water cleaning be approved, any debris removed is not allowed to pass into the water
column or fall to the sea bed and persons wishing to conduct this work must demonstrate the
method by which all debris will be collected and disposed of to DoF and/or the Harbour Master
before receiving approval.
3. Marine Fauna
Vessel strikes or entanglement
All vessels to adhere to Port speed limits at all times.
Dredge vessel operators will be required to maintain a trained Marine Fauna Observer (MFO) on
watch during marine operations and vessel movements. The MFO may be a vessel crew member
who has been appropriately trained.
If sea lions or whales are observed within 300 m of the vessel, the vessel will adjust speed and
direction where safe to do so, to avoid colliding with the animal.
Each vessel will keep a log of whale and sea lion sightings.
All vessel strikes, entanglements or injuries to marine fauna (including dolphins, penguins, turtles,
sea lions) shall be reported via the incident report pro-forma contained in the APA/Project EMS.
Contingency response and monitoring measures shall be as per the Marine Fauna Monitoring and
Contingency Plan described in Section 6.3.
4. Airborne noise
Management and monitoring of airborne noise from the Expansion Project and procedures of
contingency response should airborne noise limits be exceeded shall be as per the requirements
specified in the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP).
5. Emissions to air
Management and monitoring of emission to air from the project, particularly dust from reclamation
works, and procedures of contingency response should air emission limits be exceeded, shall be as per
the requirements specified in CEMP.
6. Marine heritage
Should artefacts of potential maritime or aboriginal heritage be discovered during marine works, all
works in that area shall cease until such time that the artefacts and area have been assessed for
heritage significance in accordance with the W.A. Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 and Heritage of Western
Australia Act 1990.
7. Unexploded Ordnance
Prior to the commencement of dredging operations the following tasks will be undertaken to minimise
the risk of encountering unexploded ordnance (UXO) during the works:
Completion of a 100% coverage magnetometer survey of the dredge area to identify and interpret
all magnetic materials located within the boundaries of the site.
Completion a diver inspection and identification of the anomalies identified during the magnetometer
survey that display the characteristics that are comparable to those associated with UXO.
The clearance of all anomalies that are identified as UXO during the diver inspection process.
Should UXO be found during dredging and sea dumping activities, the following management measures
must be undertaken:
Fire and Emergency Services of Western Australia (FESA) will be immediately notified and, if UXO or
EXO presence is confirmed by FESA, the Department of Defence (DoD) will be immediately notified.
Dredging operations shall cease until the suspected item of ordnance can be identified as inert, or
removed from the operational plant for off-site disposal by DoD.
Where possible, dredging operations may be diverted to another section of the site while further
investigation of the source and risk associated with the item(s) of UXO are undertaken.
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General Marine Works Management Program
Dredging works may recommence in the area where UXO was identified with risk mitigation
measures recommended by FESA incorporated. Such measures will be dependent on the specific
ordnance identified, but may include further clearance activities, or physical measures to exclude
ordnance from entering the dredge.
8. Harbour Access
Commercial and recreational vessel passage in the vicinity of the Port, dredging, land reclamation and
sea dumping areas will be directed and managed by the APA Harbour Master.
The APA Harbour Master will communicate information on vessel movements to port users via broadcast
and/or issuing a Notice to Mariners as required.
Public notices will be communicated regularly to inform the community of key project information and
progress.
Public complaints will be documented, recorded and managed in accordance with APA/Project EMS.
9. Signage
Explanatory signage shall be erected to inform the public of the dredging program timeline and the
expectations of the construction program.
DoH recommends only eating shellfish harvested commercially under strict monitoring programs. DoH
shall be consulted to determine the appropriateness of including signage to reflect this position.
Monitoring and contingency plans DLRMP section
Oil Spill Monitoring and Contingency Plan Section 6.1
Introduced Marine Pest Monitoring and Contingency Plan Section 6.2
Marine Fauna Monitoring and Contingency Plan Section 6.3
36 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
Dredging and Plume Management Program
11. Contaminated sediments management
The reclamation area will not contain contaminated sediments.
To prevent oxidation of peaty material and reduce the risk of remobilisation of nutrients and transport of
these nutrients within the marine ecosystem, both dredges will be utilised whilst dredging the entrance
to Princess Royal Harbour.
The TSHD will target peaty material by initially dredging the portion of the channel in Princess Royal
Harbour and moving along the channel alignment out into King George Sound.
This portion of the Harbour will be dredged without overflow of potentially high nutrient water until
the dredge has moved out into the Sound.
At the disposal site, subsequent loads of clean sediment will be placed around, and on top of the
sediment containing peaty materials to prevent re-suspension and mobilisation.
The portion of the shipping channel shown in the WQMP that encompasses the area of potentially
contaminated sediments (Appendix D; Figure 3.4) shall be dredged in a manner that does not cause any
overflow of turbid water into the environment from the dredge vessel.
The material will be removed by accurately locating the dredge suction head using differential GPS
and selectively dredging to a depth of two meters. The area of sediment removed without overflow
will be verified by hydrographic surveys.
The portion of the shipping channel dredged without overflow shall be deposited in the centre of the
disposal area. Subsequent loads of clean sediment shall be placed around and covering this
material to reduce the likelihood of re-suspension and mobilisation.
Monitoring for toxicants potentially released from sediment dredging and reclamation water return,
including environmental quality criteria and contingency measures, is specified within the Water Quality
Monitoring and Contingency Plan described in Section 6.4.
12. Water quality management
The following controls will be implemented to minimise the spatial extent and intensity of dredge plumes:
CSD Management
Level 1
Dredging will be undertaken using a cutter suction dredge. Well maintained and properly calibrated
dredging vessels will be used. Dredge vessels will include features such as real-time bathymetric
charts, production statistics and vessel positioning systems.
Dredge material will be pumped directly from the dredge to the reclamation area via floating
pipelines (see below).
Level 2
Relocation of dredge.
Deployment of a silt curtain within the reclamation to maximise the control of turbidity during the
reclamation process.
Deployment of a silt curtain at or prior to the return water outlet to minimise the turbidity of water
discharged from the land reclamation area.
Install additional internal bunding in the land reclamation area to increase water retention time.
Reduce pumping rate.
Trial single shift operation.
TSHD Management
Level 1
Dredging will be undertaken using a trailer suction hopper dredge fitted with a turbidity reducing
(green) valve used within the overflow pipe.
Overflow levels will be raised to the highest point during transport to ensure minimum spillage of
sediment.
Hopper door seals will be maintained in good condition to ensure minimum loss of sediment during
transport.
Hopper de-watering will be confined to dredging areas.
Dredging operations will be sequenced to maximise under-keel clearance (reducing propeller wash)
by dredging from shallow to deeper waters where possible.
The suction heads at the end of the pipes will be kept above the seabed until the scheduled dredging
area has been reached to prevent unnecessary sea bed disturbance
Dredges will be equipped with density monitors and on screen displays that enable the operator to
precisely separate dredge material from seawater and divert dredge material into the hopper. A
valve will allow excess seawater to be expelled with minimal sediment content, reducing the volume
of particulate material in the return waters.
Overflow from the TSHD will occur via a submerged outlet located in the ships’ hull below the
waterline (approximately 5-9 m below) reducing settlement time (by reducing the distance from the
dredge to the seabed).
The TSHD will operate at a speed of 1 to 3 knots (depending on the dredge location, surrounding
marine activities, sea conditions and material being dredged).
A drag head will loosen the bottom material prior to suction and water jets may be employed to
assist in loosening the sand. This will optimise the throughput and decrease the duration of the
dredging program.
Density monitors inside the hopper will ensure maximum fill of the hopper and the dredge will be
loaded to its maximum capacity before sailing full to the offshore disposal site to minimise the
number of trips the dredge makes along the channel.
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Dredging and Plume Management Program
When the hopper is fully loaded, the suction pipe(s) will be raised and the pumping system shut
down. The suction pipe(s) will then be secured on deck during sail. This will prevent seabed
disturbance during sailing cycles.
During sailing the hopper will remain closed (with the watertight bottom doors) to prevent any
seepage of dredged material from the vessel and potential loss of sediment during sailing cycles.
Well maintained and properly calibrated dredging vessels will be used. Dredge vessels will include
features such as real-time bathymetric charts, loading diagrams, production statistics and vessel
positioning systems.
Level 2
Minimise draining of excess water enroute to the dumpsite (subject to operational safety).
Relocate dredge.
38 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
5.4 Marine Infrastructure Management Program
Marine Infrastructure Management Program
Breakwater construction
Application Reclamation activities
Berth works
To appropriately manage activities related to the construction of marine
infrastructure and associated impacts.
Performance To minimise the area of seabed disturbed by the infrastructure footprint.
Objectives To protect environmental values, social uses and public and private assets within
Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound from long-term adverse effects
due to the construction of marine infrastructure.
Conformance with all management measures, environmental monitoring and
Key Performance
contingency plans and environmental quality criteria specified in this management
Indicator
program.
Management Measures
14. Infrastructure footprint (direct impacts to benthic habitat)
To limit the direct footprint of habitat disturbance, all infrastructure construction and reclamation
activities are to take place within approved construction envelopes.
Benthic habitat mapping will be undertaken after Project completion to confirm that direct (and indirect)
habitat losses are within approved limits (see the Water Quality Monitoring and Contingency Plan
described in Section 6.4).
15. Land Reclamation and return water management
The following controls will be implemented to minimise the spatial extent and intensity of return water
plumes from land reclamation activities:
The design and operation of the reclamation area will be used as the main management measure to
reduce the total suspended solids (TSS) being discharged into the marine environment. The layout of
the reclamation will take into account the dredging production rates, pumping capacity and pipe
diameter proposed by the dredging contractor.
Seawalls will be constructed in advance of the dredging and reclamation works around the reclamation
area.
A filter fabric lining to seawalls shall be utilised to minimise the flow of fine sediments through the
seawalls.
Utilisation of a settling pond shall maximise retention time and therefore settling of sediments before
discharge.
If required, intermediate bunds will be constructed within the reclamation area to subdivide the overall
reclamation area into two or more settlement basins.
Internal silt curtains may be installed within the reclamation area to increase the settlement time and
reduce the TSS of return water.
A suitable control (e.g. weir box) will be used at the discharge point to control the water level and the
rate and timing of discharge.
The extent of the return water plume will be visually monitored, via regularly flown aerial photography,
and made publicly available on APA website.
Return water quality monitoring, including contingency measures should environmental quality criteria
not be met, are specified within the Water Quality Monitoring and Contingency Plan (Section 6.4).
16. Rock Armour Management
The seawall construction method will involve progressive placement of larger size rocks over finer core
material to protect the core from fines washout. This will minimise the sedimentation and turbidity
aspects associated with finer core material placement.
Marine water quality monitoring during seawall construction, including contingency measures should
environmental quality criteria not be met, are specified within the Water Quality Monitoring and
Contingency Plan (Section 6.4).
17. Fauna entrapment
Reclamation cells shall be checked daily for the presence of marine fauna trapped via seawall
construction, introduction via dredge material transfer or otherwise. Trapped fauna shall be humanely
transferred to open water.
18. Pile Driving Noise
Exclusion zones will be maintained around cetaceans (2 km) and pinnipeds (500 m).
Pile driving pre-start procedures will be used to ensure marine fauna are outside exclusion zones.
Pile driving mechanical ‘soft start’ procedures will be used to encourage animals to move away from
subsequent blows that could be injurious.
Pile driving shut-down procedures will be used if marine fauna are observed within or moving into the
exclusion zones.
Low visibility piling procedures will be used during periods of low visibility. All piling will be undertaken
in compliance with the Noise Regs. 1997.
Marine fauna observation and contingency measures in relation to piling operation noise shall be in
accordance with the Underwater Noise Management and Contingency Plan (Section 6.5).
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Marine Infrastructure Management Program
19. Stormwater Management
No contaminated stormwater shall be discharged to the marine environment.
A site-specific stormwater drainage system will be designed to best-practice specifications and will be
installed during construction in readiness for operations of installed infrastructure, to intercept and retain
potentially contaminated surface waters for treatment.
20. Contaminated sites assessment of reclamation area
No contaminated sediments or soil shall be utilised as fill within the reclamation area (refer to
management measure 11.
Commissioning of the reclamation area shall be in accordance with a contaminated sites assessment in
accordance with the W.A. Contaminated Sites Regulations 2006.
21. Public access
Public access to the shoreline, beaches and water adjacent to construction works shall be maximised to
the extent that public use areas shall remain accessible, excluding necessary restrictions of public access
for safety purposes.
Monitoring and Contingency Programs DLRMP Section
Water Quality Monitoring and Contingency Plan Section 6.4
Underwater noise monitoring and contingency plan Section 6.5
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6. Monitoring and Contingency Plans
6.1 Oil Spill Monitoring and Contingency Plan
Oil Spill Monitoring and Contingency Plan
This Oil Spill Monitoring and Contingency Plan aims to protect the following
environmental values and achieve the following environmental quality objectives.
Please refer to the above documents for procedural details of oil spills. APA will make
copies of these documents available to all employees and contractors on site.
Reporting and
Auditing Refer to Section 7 and Table 7.2.
Requirements
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6.2 Introduced Marine Pests Monitoring and Contingency Plan
Marine Pest Monitoring and Contingency Plan
This Introduced Marine Pests Monitoring and Contingency Plan aims to protect
Environmental Ecosystem Health values by:
Values and Maintenance of ecosystem integrity, in terms of structure (diversity and abundance
Objectives of biota) and function (food chains and nutrient cycles), by avoiding the introduction
of marine pests.
Environmental quality criteria developed to assess compliance with the above EQO are:
Zero entry to Albany Port of vessels and equipment determined, by DoF, to be of
Environmental high risk of introducing marine pests
Quality Zero detection of marine pests or sediments during vessel inspections conducted at
Criteria Albany Port; and
No work undertaken using any vessel or equipment classified as high risk (via marine
pest risk assessment and determined by DoF).
Monitoring
and Refer to Section 5.2, Management Measure 2.
Management
In the event that introduced marine pests or significant amounts of fouling organisms or
sediment (as deemed by an Officer of DoF, accredited biofouling inspector or suitably
qualified marine expert) are found on a vessel or equipment, the following actions will be
taken:
Notification of the DoF and OEPA: DoF must be notified within 24 hours of any
known or suspected marine pest detection in West Australian State waters, which
include the Albany Port Expansion Project.
DoF will provide direction and advice on management options for the introduced
marine pest detection.
Potential management options include removal of vessel or equipment from West
Australian State waters, dry docking and cleaning of vessel or in water cleaning. All
of these options would be required within specific timeframes and will be under the
direction of DoF. In-water cleaning in West Australian State waters and
Commonwealth waters will not be approved when introduced marine pests are
detected or suspected on vessel or equipment.
If cleaning occurs, a post clean inspection performed by an accredited biofouling
inspector or suitably qualified marine expert will be required and submitted to DoF
for assessment.
If DoF is satisfied that the level of vessel or equipment hygiene represents a low risk
and all conditions have been met to DoF satisfaction, a vessel movement clearance
will be issued by DoF, with specific timeframes for movements, depending on the risk
Contingency
profile of the vessels current location.
Introduced marine pest monitoring may be required for the location/s of the detected
introduced marine pest and associated vessel movements, as directed by DoF.
In the event that introduced marine pests (as deemed by an Officer of DoF, accredited
biofouling inspector or suitably qualified marine expert) are found in Albany Port
Expansion project area, the following actions will be taken:
Notification of the DoF and OEPA: DoF must be notified within 24 hours of any
known or suspected introduced marine pest detected in West Australian State
waters, which includes the Albany Port Expansion Project.
A Marine Pest Management Strategy will be developed and implemented, in
consultation with DoF, to prevent, wherever practicable, the establishment and
proliferation of that organism, aiming to control and potentially eradicate that
organism, and to minimise the risk of that organism being transferred to other
locations with West Australian State waters.
A report detailing the outcomes of the implementation of the Marine Pest
Management Strategy will need to be submitted to DoF within one month of the
commencement of the implementation of the Marine Pest Management Strategy and
thereafter as required by DoF.
Introduced marine pest monitoring may be required for the location/s of the detected
introduced marine pest and associated vessel movements, as directed by DoF.
Reporting and
Auditing Refer to Section 7 and Table 7.2
Requirements
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6.3 Marine Fauna Monitoring and Contingency Plan
Marine Fauna Monitoring and Contingency Plan
This Marine Fauna Monitoring and Contingency Plan aims to protect Ecosystem Health
Environmental values by:
Values and Maintenance of ecosystem integrity, in terms of structure (diversity and abundance
Objectives of biota) and function (food chains and nutrient cycles), by avoiding impacts on
marine fauna
The environmental quality criterion developed to assess compliance with the above EQO
Environmental
is:
Quality
No injury or death of marine fauna (cetaceans and pinnipeds) as a result of strikes or
Criteria
interactions with dredging and disposal vessels.
Before start-up of dredging and dumping activities, a trained crew member4 will
check, using binoculars from a high observation platform, for cetaceans and
Monitoring pinnipeds within the exclusion zone.
A marine fauna exclusion zone of 300 m shall be maintained around dredging and
sea dumping activities.
If marine fauna are observed within or moving into the dredging or sea dumping
exclusion zones, dredging and/or disposal will be shut down immediately.
Shut down of activities must be maintained for at least 20 minutes from the time of
last sighting within the exclusion zone, or until the cetacean or pinniped has been
observed to move outside the exclusion zone, or the vessel is to move to another
area of the dredge/disposal ground to maintain a minimum distance of 300 m
Management between the vessel and any cetacean or pinniped.
Any collisions with marine fauna will be documented to record the location, time, tide
conditions, weather conditions, number of individuals involved, corrective action
undertaken and preventative action proposed for ongoing dredging and disposal to
reduce the risk of further collisions.
Refer to Section 5.2, Management Measure 3.
Refer to Figure 6.1 below.
Immediately cease all significant in-water noise generating activities;
Notify Environmental Manager and other relevant personnel of the incident;
Notify Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population
and Communities, CEO of OEPA and Albany DEC of the incident within 24 hours;
Contingencies Complete an incident report;
Investigate the incident to determine the case and identify possible changes to
activities to avoid reoccurrence; and
Complete a risk assessment to the satisfaction of the Environmental Manager before
re-starting activity.
Reporting and
Auditing Refer to Section 7 and Table 7.2
Requirements
4
The SDP defines “trained crew” as personnel experienced in fauna observation, distance estimation and reporting.
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*Establish zones, trained crew
member to observe for
marine fauna for at least 20
minutes
Startup
No marine
fauna
observed,
No
or observed
outside
300m?
Yes
Yes
No marine
fauna
observed, or
observed
outside
Operation
300m zone?
No
Figure 6.1 Flowchart showing marine fauna monitoring and avoidance procedures during
dredging and disposal operations
44 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
6.4 Water Quality Monitoring and Contingency Plan
Water Quality Monitoring and Contingency Plan
This Water and Sediment Quality Monitoring and Contingency Plan aims to protect the
following environmental values and achieve the following environmental quality
objectives.
Maintenance of aquaculture
Physico-chemical stressors:
EQG – DO and pH.
EQS – DO and pH.
Toxicants and bacteria in shellfish (sentinel mussels):
EQG – List of contaminants in shellfish.
EQS – Bioavailable, direct toxicity assessment.
Turbidity:
EQG – TSS not to exceed 80th percentile of baseline.
EQS – TSS not to exceed 10 mg/L.
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Water Quality Monitoring and Contingency Plan
Monitoring Refer to WQMP (Appendix D)
Management Refer to Section 5.3 and Figure 6.2 below
Contingency Refer to WQMP (Appendix D)
Reporting and
Auditing Refer to Section 7 and Table 7.2
Requirements
yes
yes
Contingency
Significant Risk EQO
Management
not met
(refer to WQMP)
Figure 6.2 Flowchart showing water quality monitoring procedures during dredging and
disposal operations
46 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan
6.5 Underwater Noise Monitoring and Contingency Plan
Underwater Noise Monitoring and Contingency Plan
This Underwater Noise Monitoring and Contingency Plan aims to protect Ecosystem
Environmental Health values by:
Values and Maintenance of ecosystem integrity, in terms of structure (diversity and abundance
Objectives of biota) and function (food chains and nutrient cycles), by avoiding impacts on
marine fauna.
The environmental quality criterion developed to assess compliance with the above EQO
is:
Environmental
No significant impacts on the following factors resulting from pile driving activity:
Quality
Listed threatened species and communities.
Criteria
Listed migratory species.
Commonwealth marine areas.
Exclusion zones
A cetacean exclusion zone of 2 km shall be maintained around each piling activity.
A pinniped (i.e. sea lion) exclusion zone of 500 m shall be maintained around each
piling activity.
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Underwater Noise Monitoring and Contingency Plan
Incidents involving injury of marine fauna as a result of underwater noise from pile
driving will invoke the following contingency actions:
Immediately cease all significant in-water noise generating activities;
Notify Environmental Manager and other relevant personnel of the incident;
Notify Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population
Contingencies and Communities, CEO of OEPA and Albany DEC of the incident within 24 hours
Complete an incident report;
Investigate the incident to determine the case and identify possible changes to
activities to avoid reoccurrence; and
Complete a risk assessment to the satisfaction of the Environmental Manager before
re-starting activity.
Refer to Section 7 and Table 7.2
Observation and reporting of injured fauna during pile driving, sea dumping and dredging
including the maintenance of a log of fauna observations during pre-startup and
Reporting and operation of piling equipment.
Auditing
Requirements EPBC compliance reporting – By July 1 each year after commencement of the action, the
person taking the action must provide a report to the Department of Sustainability,
Environment, Water Population and Communities addressing compliance with the
conditions of the conditions (EPBC referral 2006/2540) over the previous 12 months.
Reports must be provided until closure of the action.
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*Establish zones, communications and observe
for at least 20 minutes by Marine Fauna Observer
(MFO) during May to October or experienced
personnel at other times
Cetaceans not
Soft Start for at observed or
least initial 5 outside 2 km.
Yes No
Startup
Marine
fauna not
observed, or
No observed Yes
outside
exclusion
zones?
Operate at Full
Power
Marine
fauna not
observed,
Yes or observed
outside
exclusion
zones?
No
Figure 6.3 Flowchart showing start up and operation procedures for pile driving during
construction of the wharfs and associated infrastructure
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7. Auditing and Reporting
7.1 Auditing
7.1.1 Access for observers
In accordance with Condition 12 of the Expansion Project’s Sea Dumping Permit (refer
Appendix C), at least two Australian Government nominees are to be afforded access to
witness, inspect, examine or audit any part of the operations, including any dumping or
monitoring activity, the vessel or any other equipment, or any documented records, and are
to be provided with any necessary assistance in carrying out their duties.
7.2 Reporting
7.2.1 Reporting
Routine internal and external reporting will be carried by the APA or its contractors and
consultants. External reporting procedures will be consistent with the relevant State and
Commonwealth environmental regulatory requirements. These include:
State requirements;
Ministerial Statement 846;
Department of Water Dredging Permit.
Commonwealth requirements;
DSEWPaC EPBC referral 2006/2540; and
DSEWPaC Sea Dumping Permit No. SD2006/0035.
Accurate records of activities associated with or relevant to the above conditions of approval
will be maintained and made available upon request (in accordance with Condition 10 of the
EPBC referral). In accordance with Condition 18 of the Sea Dumping Permit, APA are
required to keep records comprising either weekly plotting sheets or a certified extract of the
ship’s log which detail:
The times and dates of when each dumping run is commenced and finished;
The position (as determined by GPS) of the vessel at the beginning and end of each
dumping run, with the inclusion of the path of each dumping run; and
The volumes of dredge material (in cubic metres) dumped for the specified operational
period and compare these quantities with the total amount permitted under the permit.
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The major reporting requirements and responsibilities are summarised in Table 7.1,
structured according to the State environmental requirements (Environmental Values that are
to be protected) and Commonwealth environmental requirements (Sea Dumping Permit, and
EPBC Act).
Note that the audit table is only a summary of the requirements of this DLRMP and that the
relevant section of this document should be referred to directly for matters requiring
additional clarification or information on procedural matters.
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Table 7.1 DLRMP reporting table
Report Details Prepared by Submitted to Report frequency
State Environmental Requirements
WQMP - Ecosystem health
Albany Port Authority
If the environmental quality trigger levels have been exceeded at any
WQMP compliance - Environmental CEO OEPA Immediately on determination of non-compliance
point during the dredging and disposal program
Manager
Underwater light (∆Hsat) Environmental
Report of ∆Hsat for each potential impact site. APA website Weekly during dredging and disposal
monitoring consultants
Comparisons of monitoring site seagrass shoot density with baseline Environmental
Seagrass health monitoring APA website Monthly within 5 days of obtaining processed shoot density data.
data. consultants
If seagrass health criteria are not met, or are not able to be measured Albany Port Authority
Seagrass health compliance during dredging, report the findings including evidence which allows for - Environmental CEO OEPA Within 4 days of non-compliance
determination of the cause of the decline in seagrass health. Manager
On completion of the Project at intervals of:
Albany Port Authority
Seagrass direct and indirect loss Calculation of total loss of seagrass, including co-ordinates and a map of 2 months.
- Environmental APA website
monitoring the areas of seagrass losses caused by the Expansion Project. 12 months.
Manager
24 months.
Report of baseline reef survey before and surveys following completion Albany Port Authority
Reef community monitoring of dredging, including: cover, diversity and abundance of reef - Environmental APA website On completion of the baseline and after dredging reef surveys.
communities. Manager
Report results of sampling conducted two weeks before commencement.
Report providing the results of water and sediment testing for metals, Albany Port Authority
Toxicants in water and CEO OEPA Reporting monthly during, and within 2 months, and every 12 months for
and other contaminants. The report will outline the sampling site - Environmental
sediments monitoring APA website 2 years following dredging and disposal.
locations and whether any triggers were exceeded. Manager
Reporting of Mercury and Silver results every two weeks during construction.
Albany Port Authority
Toxicants in water and If toxicants in water and sediments triggers have not been met or are
- Environmental CEO OEPA Within 2 days of the exceedance being identified
sediments compliance not able to be measured during dredging, report the findings.
Manager
Number and types of vessels assessed and inspected;
Introduced Marine Pests - Vessel Copies of all assessments and inspection/cleaning records; Albany Port Authority
DoF From the start of Stage 1 dredging, every 6-months until completion of
Risk Assessment and Inspection Copies of ballast water exchange records; and - Environmental
CEO OEPA Stage 1 and Stage 2 dredging.
Reporting Details of IMP discovered and actions taken to prevent Manager
establishment within the Port
WQMP - Fishing and aquaculture
Physico-chemical stressor Environmental Two weeks before commencement and on a four week basis during dredging
Report outlining DO and pH monitoring at two sites. APA website
monitoring consultants and disposal.
CEO OEPA
Report immediately prior to dredging begins.
Report outlining the results of mussel testing for metals and other DoH
Sentinel Mussels monitoring Report every six weeks during stage 2 dredging and disposal.
contaminants at two aquaculture sites. DoF
Report at 6 months following completion of dredging and disposal.
APA website
CEO OEPA
Albany Port Authority
DoH
Sentinel Mussels compliance Report outlining exceedance of trigger levels for toxicants and bacteria. - Environmental As soon as possibly but within 24 hours of exceedance being indentified.
DoF
Manager
APA website
Albany Port Authority
Prior to the commencement of dredging.
Turbidity monitoring Report outlining turbidity monitoring at two aquaculture sites. - Environmental APA website
Every four weeks during of Stage 2 dredging.
Manager
WQMP - Recreation and aesthetics
A report of pre-dredging water quality will be provided 16 working days after
Toxicants in water at primary Report outlining the results of water testing for metals and other sample collection.
APA website
contact recreation areas contaminants at recreation and aesthetic sites. Where weekly sampling is triggered, reports will be provided 16 working days
after sample collection.
Water clarity and aesthetics of
Report outlining the Secchi depth at eleven contingency sites. APA website Reporting will be on a ten working day basis
primary contact recreation areas
Commonwealth Environmental Requirements
Sea dumping permit reporting
Weekly plotting sheets or a certified extract of the ships’ log which
detail:
a) The times and dates of when each dumping run is commenced and
finished;
Albany Port Authority Records retained by APA
b) The position (as determined by GPS) of the vessel at the beginning
Dumping activities - Environmental for verification and audit Daily records
and end of each sampling run, with the inclusion of the path of each
Manager purposes
dumping run; and
c) The volume of dredge material dumped for the specified operational
period and a comparison of these quantities with the total amount
under the permit.
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Report Details Prepared by Submitted to Report frequency
State Environmental Requirements
WQMP - Ecosystem health
Report to include chart showing the change in sea floor bathymetry as a Within 2 months of final bathymetric survey being undertaken and also during
Albany Port Authority
Bathymetric survey of disposal result of dumping and include written commentary on the volumes of the periodic port bathymetric survey to be conducted 3 years after completion
- Environmental RAN Hydrographer
site dumped material that appear to have been retained within the disposal of the dredging. Based on the results of that survey, a decision would be
Manager
site (Condition 21 of SDP). made whether further surveys are required.
Albany Port Authority
International Maritime Report to include day of expiry of permit or completion of all dredging International Maritime
- Environmental By 31 January each year.
Organisation Reporting under the SDP. Organisation
Manager
Environmental incidents or environmental risk identified during
Albany Port Authority
dredging/disposal activities, with details, measures taken, success of
Environmental Incidents - Environmental Minister, DSEWPaC Report within 24 hours
those measures and any additional measures proposed to be taken
Manager
(Condition 15 of SDP).
EPBC Referral 2006/2540 requirements
Albany Port Authority
Report of compliance with the conditions of the approval over the By 1 July each year after the commencement of the action. Reports must be
Compliance reporting - Environmental Minister, DSEWPaC
previous 12 months completed until closure of the action
Manager
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8. Review and Revision
8.1 Review
The draft DLRMP has been reviewed by the Department of Health, Department of Fisheries,
Department of Water and expert peer reviewer Mr Michael Mulligan (Mulligan Environmental).
The draft DLRMP will also be reviewed by the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority
and the Department of Environment and Conservation5.
The WQMP, which forms a sub-section of the DLRMP, underwent a comprehensive review
process which involved consultation and review by the Albany Dredge Reference Group
(ADRG). Invited members of the ADRG included representatives from:
Conservation Council of WA
Aquaculture Council of WA
Great Southern Development Commission
Chamber of Minerals and Energy
Princess Royal Sailing Club
Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management
South Coast Diving Supplies
City of Albany
Department of Environment and Conservation
Middleton Beach User Group
Department of Health
Albany Whale Tours / Child Education
Department of Water
Freight and Logistics Council
WA Fishing Industry Council
ANZAC Centenary Alliance
South Coast Purse Seine Fishery
Department of Fisheries
WA Museum (Albany)
Department of State Development
Wellstead Progress Association
Environmentalist
Department of Transport
Svitzer
Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Ocean Watch
Silver Star
Albany Port Rotary Club
Albany Dive Locker
The draft WQMP was presented at the first ADRG meeting held in Albany on 25 May 2011.
The ADRG comments and the Proponent responses are provided in the WQMP, Appendix C.
In addition, the draft WQMP was reviewed by an Independent Peer Reviewer, Mr Mike
Mulligan from Mulligan Environmental. Copies of the independent peer review comments and
how each comment was addressed are provided in the WQMP, Appendix D. Revisions to the
WQMP were discussed again at the second ADRG meeting in Albany, held on 28 July 2011.
Following this meeting, the ADRG Independent Chairman, Dr Bernard Bowen, provided final
comments, which were provided in the WQMP, Appendix E.
5
The draft DLRMP was sent to the Department of Environment and Conservation, South Coast Region in June 2011,
however no review comments have been received to date.
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8.2 Revision
In accordance with Condition 5 of the Sea Dumping Permit and Condition 4 of the EPBC Act
referral, APA may submit a revised version of the DLRMP for approval by the Minister for
Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts 6. If the revised plan is approved, that DLRMP
must be implemented in place of the original DLRMP. The DLRMP will be made available
(electronically) on the APA website within five business days of the DLRMP being approved by
the Minister, as required by Condition 7 of the SDP and Condition 8 of the EPBC Referral
Decision.
Stakeholder review comments will be addressed and changes incorporated in the final
version. The DLRMP revision status (including distribution list) will be updated in the revision
history table at the beginning of this document, should any revisions to the plan be required.
As per OEPA guidelines (DoE 2006a), if the approved DLRMP subsequently requires
modification or updating and major changes are involved (e.g. significant changes that affect
key management actions), comment from the Advisory Agencies who provided comment on
the original DLRMP will be sought, and formal approval for the change will be requested from
the OEPA. Minor changes will be treated as part of the review and revision process.
6
Formerly DEWHA, now the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
(DSEWPaC).
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9. References
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2001, Management of Australia’s coastal and marine
environment – Shipping and the introduction of exotic marine species, Available from:
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/ABS
ANZECC 1997, Code of Practice for Antifouling and In-water Hull Cleaning and Maintenance,
Prepared by Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council
Maritime Accidents and Pollution Implementation Group.
ANZECC & ARMCANZ 2000, National Water Quality Management Strategy: Paper No 4 -
Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality. Volume 2
- Aquatic Ecosystems - Rationale and Background Information (Chapter 8), Prepared
by Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and Agriculture
and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand, Canberra, ACT,
October 2000.
AQIS 2008, Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements - Version 4, Prepared by
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Canberra, ACT, March 2008.
Commonwealth of Australia 2009a, National Biofouling Management Guidance for Commercial
Vessels - The National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest
Incursions, Prepared by Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT, January 2009.
Commonwealth of Australia 2009b, National Biofouling Management Guidance for Non-
trading Vessels - The National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine
Pest Incursions, Prepared by Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT, April 2009.
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (2009) Marine Pests, Available from:
http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/pests-diseases-weeds/marine-pests
[Accessed February 2009].
DoE 2006a, Compliance Monitoring and Reporting - Guidelines for Proponents: Preparing
Environmental Management Plans, Department of Environment, Perth Western
Australia, May 2006.
DoE 2006b, Compliance Monitoring and Reporting - Guidelines for Proponents: Preparing an
Audit Program, Department of Environment, Perth Western Australia, October 2006.
DoW 2008, Princess Royal Harbour and Oyster Harbour benthic habitat survey, as at March
2006, Internal report by Department of Water, Perth, Western Australia, June 2008.
Ecologia Environment (2007), Albany Iron Ore Project Public Environmental Review, Albany
Port Expansion Proposal EPA Assessment No. 1594, prepared by Ecologia Environment
for Albany Port Authority, September 2007.
EPA 2000, Perth Coastal Waters - Environmental Values and Objectives - the position of the
EPA - a working document, Prepared by Environmental Protection Authority, Perth,
Western Australia, February 2000.
EPA 2005, Environmental Quality Criteria Reference Document for Cockburn Sound (2003-
2004) - A supporting document to the State Environmental (Cockburn Sound) Policy
2005, Prepared by Environmental Protection Authority, Report no. 20, Perth, Western
Australia.
EPA 2010, Albany Port Expansion, Albany Port Authority, Report and recommendations of the
Environmental Protection Authority - Report 1346, Prepared by Environmental
Protection Authority, Perth, Western Australia, January 2010.
Food Standards Australian New Zealand 2006, Safe Seafood Australia - A guide to the
Australian Primary Production and Processing Standard for Seafood, 2nd edn,
Canberra, ACT.
JFA Consultants, 2005. Southdown magnetite iron ore project: Albany Port Upgrade. Dive
sampling report, Unpublished report prepared for Grange Resources, August 2005.
McDonald, J. I., 2008, A likelihood analysis of non-indigenous marine species introduction to
fifteen ports in Western Australia, Prepared by Department of Fisheries, Report no.
182, Perth, Western Australia.
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McDonald, J. I., Wells, F. E. & Travers, J. 2009, Results of the 2007 survey of the Albany
marine area for introduced marine species, Prepared by Department of Fisheries,
Report no. 188, Perth, Western Australia.
NHMRC 2008, Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water, Prepared by National
Health and Medical Research Council, Canberra, ACT, February 2008.
Oceanica 2010, Albany Port Expansion Baseline Monitoring - Water Quality and Seagrass
Health, Prepared for Grange Resources Limited by Oceanica Consulting Pty Ltd, Report
no. 772_001/2, Perth, Western Australia, October 2010.
SA 2004, (AS 1940 - 2004), Australian Standard: The storage and handling of flammable
and combustible liquids, Prepared by Standards Australia.
SKM, 2007. Albany Iron Ore Project Albany Port Expansion Proposal. Sampling and Analysis
Plan and Benthic Primary Producer Habitat Report, Revision 7. Unpublished Report
prepared for Grange Resources, October 2007.
58 Oceanica: APA: Albany Port Expansion Project Dredging and Land Reclamation Management Plan